Friday, March 28, 2008

The above photo is a partial amount of items that I have indigo dyed over this last week. I have put together some small packets of laces and silk ribbons for sale at my Etsy shop.

There's something about indigo that attracts people. I'm not usually a "blue" person but the magic of the indigo dye process is changing my mind. There is a psychological term used about "Extremely bright, precocious children with an amazing memory and a strong desire to live instinctively" called the "indigo child" taken from the color of their aura. Joni Mitchell has an album named "Turbulent Indigo" and she writes often in her songs about the color blue and has another album titled "Blue". One of my favorite contemporary artists, Nina Bagley, writes often of her love of blue too!

Indigo encompasses a wide range of blue from pale robins egg blue to the deep blue of a brand new pair of Levi's. The indigo vat I use is not completely natural. I use chemicals to reduce the oxygen in the dye bath. The indigo itself I get from Michele Wipplinger's business "earthues" and I highly recommend her products!

This is an interesting site to watch how a natural indigo dye pot is used.YouTube

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This pile of dyed ribbons are ready to get made into more flower pin adornments. I think they will be fabulous!

I will have more projects to address with all these items in my next posts! Stay tuned!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Good morning Lisa, Todd and Chas (the Spaz)! Remember this from SNL? The nerds? That's what I've felt like these last few days. I injured my back on Sat. while lifting and setting down the oh so heavy (not) shoe box full of bungie cords. Somehow I twisted wrong and my back went into spasms. I've been gimping around ever since like Mrs. Loopner in her house robe and slippers, except I'm not humming. WAH!

I felt better on Monday and was in my studio indigo dyeing again while wearing a back support with ice on my back. Yesterday I was just sore so I thought a visit to get a massage would help smooth the soreness away. WRONG! It made it worse and I could barely get off the table and drive home. So now I'm debating whether I can make it to my writing class today or not.

I also need to take photos of my indigo dyed items to show you and to put some on sale at Etsy. Hopefully I can do this a little bit later but right now I'm going to go have an Advil moment.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The best gifts are ones that surprise you and the ones that strike at your heart and stay with you forever, like friendships. My dear friend Jennifer sent me just such a gift. I had expected a package from her since she was sewing some silk ribbon flower pins for me (see previous post), but tucked away under the package of laces she gave me and the flower pins was a little cellophane bag with a small wrapped package in it. It was this sweet little charm she stamped and attached to a hand wrapped hanger. What she stamped says “time enough”. I was touched but then I saw the folded, printed paper inside and what she wrote brought tears to my eyes because these are the things that count! The sharing of ideas, concerns and feelings, the letting someone know how you care.

“Hi there! This charm came about because I had been feeling like there just wasn’t enough time to do what I wanted to, what with family, work and the myriad responsibilities and duties of life. Do you feel this way some times? Finally this not-enough-time attitude required that I stop and take a careful look at it. In the end I saw that what is important to me really does get done and there is time enough. Time enough for art, friendship, that deep long breath, time enough for all the things that fill a life and make it good to live. May you also feel there is time enough in your own life.”

Saturday, March 15, 2008

I felt like Spring had exploded when I opened a package I received in the mail from my friend Jennifer. I had sent her some dyed ribbons and antique buttons to make flower pins with and they are just exquisite! So bright and cheery and yummy!

Notice the sweet antique buttons that are sewn in the center of each blossom. I shibori dyed the silk ribbons and dupioni silk bias ribbon and Jennifer has hand sewn each and everyone of them. I want to string them all together like a flower lei and circle my room with them like ivy adorning a garden wall.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

I have a weakness for clothes. I don't know why that is but I did go into the business of creating clothing and accessories. I received a clothing catalog in the mail recently and realize how expensive clothes have gotten! If I had the bucks I would add these items to my closet! These are from Peruvian Connection...

I think this is quite enough now don't you? considering it would cost $2225.00 before shipping charges and I haven't even gotten to shoes yet. ACK! Won't happen, but I do like to look through catalogs and see what the fashions are especially when spring is on the horizon.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

I started going through some of the stuff in my studio and found some items, mostly yarns, that I need to part with. I've put some things for sale on eBay and will continue to add more during the week. I still plan to sell my wares on Etsy in about two weeks time. I'll post when that happens as well.

Altered Couture Magazine

I am primarily a fiber artist: a weaver, a dyer of cloth, creator of altered cloth books and art, and a designer of garments and accessories. I have a studio in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California where I immerse myself in projects and gaze out over the hills to the Monterey Bay. I write a little poetry from time to time and songs too. I have a great family, two sons, a husband, and joint custody of 2 cats, Moo and Ducky.